For the Cozumel Island area, hurricanes of the past have occurred most often in the months of August, September, October and November so be prepared in advance if possible! Hurricanes can be very dangerous and cause a great amount of devastation to the island as our last big one "Wilma" showed us back in 2005. Read about our personal experiences and how the island recovered at the 1 Year Anniversary.

Official Warning Level Definitions

When being apprised of weather conditions issued by NOAA, the following definitions apply:
STORM WATCH:
Tropical Storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 - 73 mph) are possible in the specified area of the Watch, usually within 48 hours.

STORM WARNING:
Tropical Storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 - 73 mph) are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 36 hours.

WATCH:
Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are possible in the specified area of the Watch, usually within 48 hours. During a hurricane Watch be prepared to take immediate action to protect your family and property in case a hurricane warning is issued.

WARNING:
Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 36 hours. Complete all storm preparations and evacuate if directed by local officials.

TERM WATCHES & WARNINGS: These provide detailed information on specific hurricane threats such as tornadoes, floods and high winds.

STORM WATCH

Type of Storm

Characteristic

Possible Damage

Tropical Depression

Sustained max winds of 62 km/h

Minimum

Tropical Storm

Winds of 63-118 km/h

Minimum

Category 1 Hurricane

Winds of 119-153 km/h

Minimum

Category 2 Hurricane

Winds of 154- 177 km/h

Moderate

Category 3 Hurricane

Winds of 178- 209 km/h

Extensive

Category 4 Hurricane

Winds of 210- 249 km/h

Extreme

Cozumel Guests/Visitors

Extended stay guests will be advised by their respective hotel or accommodations management as to what procedures will need to be followed. It is extremely important that guests follow the instructions advised by management in order to ensure everyone’s safety. Please remember that public safety comes first at critical times like these.

Cozumel Residents

Before A Hurricane Arrives: Pick up your copy of the Hurricanes Booklet distributed annually by the Mayor's office in the Palacio and Proteccion Civil at the Fire Station which contains useful emergency information as well as listing shelters available in various areas of the city.

For this Hurricane Season, these are the shelter locations:

Name of Facility

Address

Capacity

Colonia Centro:

Eben Ezer Presbyterian Church

Ave. P. J. Caldwell (30 Ave) & Calle 10 Norte

210

Colonia Andres Q.Roo:

Centro de Convenciones

Av. Rafael E. Melgar & Calle 15 Sur CLOSED FOR 2014

1000

Colonia Cuzamil:

Bernardino Mezo Elementary School

Calle Coba Between Ave. 20 & Telchac

160

Colonia 10 de Abril:

Principe de Paz Church

Ave. P. J. Caldwell (30 Ave) & Calle 4 & 6 Norte

120

Colonia Adolfo Lopez Mateo:

Iglesia De Cristo Church

55 Ave. Between A.R. Salas & Calle 3 Sur

150

Los Testigos de Jehova Church

65 Ave, Between Calle 5 Sur & Hidalgo

80

Colonia Independencia:

Plantel CONALEP School

Ave. P. J. Caldwell (30 Ave) Between Calle 21 & 23 Sur

160

Colonia San Miguel II:

Colegio de Bachilleres School

Calle 27 Sur @ 50 Avenida

120

Colonia Emiliano Zapata:

Los Testigos de Jehova Church

Carretera Transversal & Ave. 100

60

Colonia Flores Magnon:

Mesiah Presbyterian Church

65 Ave. Bis & Calle 3 Sur Corner

80

Colonia San Gervasio:

Templo Filadelfia Church Dia

Ave. Miguel Martin Between Hidalgo & Calle 7 Sur

150

Colonia CTM:

Octavia Paz High School

Ave. Leonides Garcia Between Calle 35 & 37 Sur

120

Locate the nearest shelter now and pass by in person to note if parking is available, etc. Be sure to check if pets are accepted [most do not] if applicable.

How to Prepare Before Hurricane Season in Cozumel (May & June)

Locate nearby shelters in case evacuation is necessary.

Review working condition of emergency equipment such as flashlights, radios, generators, etc. and check battery supplies for all.

Purchase and cut to size in advance any materials such as plywood, ropes, plastic needed to protect and secure the home. Remember to store or purchase all items such as screws, nails, wire, etc. necessary to securely board up windows and other exposed areas.

Check rooftop sealant for leaks and clear any debris from rooftop drains.

Prune any tree limbs that could be a hazard especially dead ones so as to minimize tree breakage and potential damage to home and power lines.

Review insurance coverage.

What to Do Before an Arriving Storm in Cozumel

Please be aware that for public safety reasons, stores typically close early and some items will become unavailable as stores run out and freight ferries are unable to dock due to high seas. Residents should have extra emergency cash, canned foods, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, candles, a portable radio and a 5 - 7 day supply of any medications needed.

Electricity on the island or affected coastal area is typically shut off by the power company about 12 hours prior to an arriving storm as a safety measure. Residents should stock up on candles, batteries and flashlights as well recharge all cell phone and marine band radio batteries. A portable battery powered radio is also useful to have on hand as well.

Fill autombile, moped and generator gas tanks with fuel as it may be several days before gas stations can re-open. Once stations do open, supplies will be limited and typically each consumer is only allowed to purchase a specific quantity alotment.

Fill propane tanks then close & secure the gas tanks in a safe, covered area.

Close water supply at intake to prevent possible contamination from flooding. Have bleach on hand to decontaminate flooded surfaces or cisterns.

Cover all windows and door openings with plywood, shutters or other shielding materials.

Secure outside areas around the residence to prevent flying objects and damage. Anything that could become a flying projectile should be brought inside or tied down.

Once homes are properly secured, residents should go to a shelter if the home is on the coastline, likely to flood or cannot withstand strong winds.

If pets must be left behind (some shelters do not accept animals) then leave food & water for pets on as high a surface as they can reach in their sheltered area in case of flooding. Never leave pets outside to endure a storm.

Prepare a travel kit for use in case of evacuation to a shelter. Include all important Identification documents, 1-2 days clothes, medications, bedding, food, water, flashlights, etc. Put everything that could be damaged into waterproof bags or bins.

Notify friends and relatives outside the warning area of the circumstances and ask for callback attempts at specified times during the storm period. Many times phone lines will be partially operational throughout storms. Often calls can be received from outside the storm area and this is easier than trying to dial out.

Do not step in water, there may be live electrical wires or other hazards.

Stay on firm ground. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep an adult off their feet.

Notify your loved ones that you are O.K. as soon as possible but then try to minimize phone usage so as to leave the lines open for emergency use and for others trying to reach their families.

As soon as is safely possible inspect for damage and make minor repairs since there may be additional rain bands that follow a storm.

Hurricane Dangers and Myths

Here are a few things you SHOULD NOT DO in times of hurricanes because they are either myths, dangerous or a waste of time:

Don't tape windows. Tape does almost no good - and it's a mess to remove.

Don't leave windows without protection - use plywood or other strong covering material.

Don't open a window away from the wind direction. Any opening can allow wind inside the home, and the wind can shift.

Don't go near windows or glass patio doors during a storm.

Don't empty an in-ground pool. The water table can rise from the rain and force the pool up, perhaps out of the ground.

Don't use a charcoal or gas grill to cook indoors.

Don't approach animals wandering after the storm. Even docile pets can be unnerved by a storm and could bite.

Don't connect a generator directly to a home's electric system. It can electrify lines outside and endanger neighbors and utility workers.

Don't drive through moving water over a road. Even six inches of flowing water can cause a car to float.

If returning after an evacuation, don't stay in a house with a gas smell. Open windows and leave.

Don't tranquilize pets during a storm as they must stay alert!

Don't let pets out after the storm without a leash. With landmarks gone, they can get lost and perhaps encounter displaced wild animals.

Don't sightsee in damaged neighborhoods.

Don't stay after an evacuation is ordered. Rescue workers will not try to reach anyone at the height of a storm.

Don't bring guns, alcohol or pets to a public shelter.

Don't touch metal fences after a storm. They could be touching downed power lines and represent a shock or electrocution risk.

Hurricane Emily Photos - Cozumel, MX July 2005

These are a few photos from Emily that visited Cozumel briefly back in 2005 with a direct hit on the island. Emily was relatively timid compared to Wilma which arrived less than 90 days later that year! The recovery efforts were quite significant but we all pulled together and made the island even stronger than it was before. Check out Hurricane Wilma.